NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball set a record for scoring defense in its Convocation Center with a 78-26 season-opening victory Friday against Carver College of Atlanta.
        The Gold Nuggets pulled away during the middle periods, getting eight points from Nina German and seven from Abryhia Irons during a 32-5, nearly 18-minute run that improved XULA's 21-11 advantage to 53-16.
        The Gold Nuggets' previous record for scoring defense in the Convocation Center was a 76-30 victory against Virgin Islands on Dec. 17, 2017. Overall the 26 points tie for sixth fewest in XULA history and were the fewest the Nuggets have allowed since a 69-22 neutral-site victory against American-Puerto Rico on Dec. 17, 2013.
        It was the second-fewest points XULA allowed in an opener.
        "It was a nice start," said Bo Browder, who can reach 500 career victories as XULA's head coach in a 5:30 p.m. Wednesday home game against Tougaloo. "We had several who didn't play because of injuries. If we can fight through this adversity and continue to improve, we'll be good."
        Returning starter Nia Bishop had 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 21 minutes for XULA. Irons produced her third career double-double, 13 points and a career-high-tying 12 rebounds, and did it in slightly more than 19 minutes. Ten of Irons' rebounds were offensive.
        Rayna Ross and Da'Jha Virgil scored 10 points apiece for XULA, and German had nine. Ross had four assists — she tied her career high — and three steals. Madison Branch had a career-best five steals.
        A Ross basket with 1:50 remaining gave XULA its largest lead, 78-25.
        "Abryhia Irons was really focused and played well on both ends of the court," Browder said. "I was proud of her. She picked up where she left off from last season."
        Taiyee Treasure had eight points and 10 rebounds for Carver (0-2) but committed nine of the Lady Cougars' 33 turnovers. XULA produced 25 steals.
        Browder-coached XULA teams are 17-6 in season openers, 12-0 at home. In home openers, XULA won 20 of its last 21, including the last four. Browder's career record at XULA is 499-209.

Getting defensive
XULA women's basketball fewest points allowed in a game — Title IX era

Points Allowed	Score	Date (Day)	Location
20	XULA 120, Louisiana Christian 20	Nov. 3, 1994 (Thu.)	H-The Barn
22	XULA 69, American-Puerto Rico 22	Dec. 17, 2013 (Tue.)	N-Bayamon, Puerto Rico
24	XULA 67, Concordia (Ala.) 24	Jan. 6, 2011 (Thu.)	H-The Barn
25	XULA 100, LaGrange 25	Dec. 16, 2000 (Sat.)	H-The Barn
25	XULA 91, Loyola (N.O.) 25	Jan. 13, 1996 (Sat.)	A-New Orleans, La.
26	XULA 78, Carver 26	Oct. 29, 2021 (Fri.)	H-Convocation Center
26	XULA 101, Texas College 26	Nov. 28, 1995 (Tue.)	H-The Barn
26	XULA 95, Bennett 26	Dec. 5, 1992 (Sat.)	N-New Orleans, La. (Dillard)
27	XULA 56, Philander Smith 27	Jan. 16, 2012 (Mon.)	H-The Barn
27	XULA 87, Wiley 27	Nov. 9, 2002 (Sat.)	H-The Barn
27	XULA 75, Jarvis Christian 27	Dec. 6, 1991 (Fri.)	A-Hawkins, Texas